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Thread Title: Acupuncture Visits
Created On Wednesday October 22, 2008 4:56 PM

paduanow@yahoo.com
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Wednesday October 22, 2008 4:56 PM

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Does Acupuncture treatment have a cap like Chiro? Chiro is limited to 24 visits.

I don't see anything in the labor code. LC 4604.5(d)(1) does not say anything about Acupuncture.

Will

jonbrissman@verizon.net
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Wednesday October 22, 2008 6:35 PM

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There is no statutory cap on acupuncture treatment visits, but the nature and extent of the treatment should be within established guidelines such as ACOEM or ODG. Extraordinary conditions, with adequate reporting describing such, could justify deviations from the guidelines.

JCB

inquiring mind
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Thursday October 23, 2008 9:53 AM

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Go to the web site of DWC with regards to FAQ about ACOEM, UR, and Treatment. The site has number 24 in front of acupuncture. I guess the interpretaion is 24 physical therapy, 24 chiropractic treatment, and 24 acupuncture treatment.

jonbrissman@verizon.net
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Thursday October 23, 2008 3:29 PM

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LC 4604.5 specifically says ". . . 24 chiropractic, 24 occupational therapy, and 24 physical therapy visits. . . " One could make a case that acupuncture is a type of physical therapy and is covered by that umbrella, but the code does not specifically mention acupuncture. The only way the DWC's website posting could be correct is if it considers acupuncture to be P.T.

JCB

inquiring mind
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Friday October 24, 2008 11:35 AM

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I am taking back what I said because I checked the web site of DWC and it did not say 24 acupuncture. JBS is correct. Sooorrrryyy!

jakelast@aol.com
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Sunday October 26, 2008 10:38 AM

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Physical Therapy is defined in the B & P code (I think it is 2620) and the definition would not include acupuncture. The definition limits application of Heat, cold, vibration etc to the skin. Acupuncture is invasive as it breaks the skin.

the 24 visit cap would not apply.

Jake Jacobsmeyer
Shaw, Jacobsmeyer, Crain, Claffey & Nix

paduanow@yahoo.com
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Monday October 27, 2008 4:19 PM

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Thanks everyone!!!

Will

sidlebird
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Friday February 27, 2009 5:11 AM

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Hello forum,

Can anyone help me with the correct code for Acupuncture with electrostimulation for DWC please? I have been using 97813 not sure if this is correct!

Lienexaminer
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Friday February 27, 2009 8:39 AM

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Code 97800 is for Acupuncture by manual stimulation
Code 97801 is for Electro Acupuncture, applying electric currents with various wave-forms to the needles which have been inserted into the acupuncture points with or without manual stimulation

Therefore billing for both 97800 and 97801 for the same session is not appropriate as 97801 INCLUDES 97800.
This is stated at the beginning of the Acupuncture section which is with in the Physical Medicine section of the fee schedule.
Also an office visit code (from the Evaluation and Management section) is NOT to be billed with either one of these codes as the acupuncture codes (97800, 97801, 97802, and 97803) include the office visit.

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